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THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025 VOL. 22 NO. 9 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00
of the Press The Citizen
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City undertakes comprehensive study on 165th Street corridor BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
HUGO — Now that the council has given the green light, work will begin on an alternative urban areawide review (AUAR) that will analyze multiple development scenarios along the 165th Street corridor including land use, infrastructure, environmental assessment and costs. City Planner Rachel Juba says there is increasing “development pressure” in the area, and any development would trigger necessary roadway improvements. The 165th Street corridor is primarily gravel between Highway 61 and Elmcrest Avenue. Along with roadway improvements, city sewer and water infrastructure would need to be extended. “The work for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan will start next year, but there is likely some work that needs to be completed earlier due to increased development interest,” Juba explained. Per the city’s 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan, the area is slated for a temporary paving solution in 2026. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies 165th Street as an urban section minor collector road (pavement, curb, and gutter) from Elmcrest Avenue to Highway 61 with a future trail making connection to the Hardwood Creek Regional Trail. There have been questions about whether the design of the road should be reevaluated. Juba explained since the city’s last comprehensive plan update (2040), a few metrowide decisions have been made that impact will impact land use, roadway design and sewer and water. The Metropolitan Council has stated that it is not planning a fixed line transit corridor along Highway 61 and that transit in the area will likely be micro transit or transit on demand. The city’s 2040 land use plan guides land at the intersection of 165th Street and Highway 61 for industrial, high-density residential and mixed use. SEE 165TH STREET CORRIDOR, PAGE 5
Oneka Lake Park upgrades in the works HUGO — Oneka Lake Park will see improvements to the tune of $282,052 this year. The park was built in 2004, and the playground is nearing the end of its useful life. Flagship Recreation drafted two playground options in eight color schemes for consideration. “We asked the neighborhood to vote on their
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A rendering of what the new playground will look like at Oneka Lake Park in Hugo.
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Women’s club celebrates historic milestone BY DEBRA NEUTKENS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
One hundred years ago, “on a sunny, summer day,” 12 neighbor women met at the home of Mrs. A.F. Thompson on Bald Eagle Lake. Their purpose was two-fold: fellowship and service. Little did the ladies of the lake
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know that a century later, their group, known as the Bald Eagle Women’s Club, would still be meeting. In fact, the centennial celebration took place in the very house a founding member once owned. What started as the “Best Ever Birthday Club” morphed into an official organization June 24,
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SEE ONEKA LAKE PARK, PAGE 5
Members of the Bald Eagle Women’s Club dress in vintage clothing to celebrate their 100th anniversary at “The Bungalow,” a home owned by Mark and Evelyn Duvall. Evelyn is the third generation to occupy the home. Her great-aunt Ena Pierce was a founding member of the club.
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preferred concept, and the voting preferences were pretty clear,” explained Parks Planner Shayla Denaway. Both options included a structure for ages 2-5 and another structure for ages 5-12. Neighbors voted for option 2, which includes five bays of swings, a “cozy dome” similar to the one in Lions Volunteer Park and other freestanding features.
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1925, when a dozen women elected officers and approved bylaws. Most were well-to-do wives of prominent St. Paul businessmen who traveled with their families by train to summer cottages on Bald Eagle. They met twice a month at each other’s homes, holding teas and SEE BALD EAGLE WOMEN’S CLUB, PAGE 2
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